He arrived a bit travel worn, but he sat quietly until we could spend some time with him and the weather improved. He’s not really set up for rain, and we’ve had too much of it. Then, I was too busy to show him around, so he just hung out, not asking for much. I felt kind of guilty, I’d said I would host and then, the work I’d been waiting so long to get finally started, so there was little time. I took him with me to Ukulele Sunday and out to the software ranch, but I couldn’t really pay attention to him and do what I needed to get done at the same time.
Finally, we had a beautiful afternoon and I was able to clear my desk. We all got in the car and headed down to admire the view at the waterfront.
We check out the view from Alki Beach, West Seattle
We’re delighted to have the easiest house guest in the world hanging out with us, Flat Stanley. We know he was in Germany before he came here, though he had a stopover somewhere in Minnesota on his way to our house. He arrived with a short explanation from his home in Worthington, Ohio. It’s our job to show him around, take some pictures of him seeing the highlights of our city, and then, send him on to somewhere new. We’re hoping to get him off to Hawaii, of course.
I love the idea of this, it’s a little bit like the garden gnome in Amelie, though more educational. We’ll scribble a little writeup about Seattle, print our photos, maybe toss in some postcards, and send a trip report back to Flat Stanley’s host school. The kids learn about new places from the people that live there, which is a great idea because individuals see their homes so differently than encyclopedias do. It’s geography made real, what’s not to like about that?
Truth be told, I am outrageously envious of our 2D friend. Off he goes, on his cheap postal service fare, carrying nothing but his sleeping bag (a manila envelope) and his letter of introduction. He arrives at the welcoming home of strangers who show him around and then, whoosh, where he goes next is anyone’s guess! I find the whole idea so thrilling that I would like nothing more than to BE Flat Stanley. The human Flat Stanley, going to wherever my hosts deem is the next destination – what an awesome adventure that would be!
Had to smile, I had a Flat Stephanie from the States and showed her round Belgium some, made a blog of her travels then sent her back 🙂
Excellent. I had been thinking about Stanley and wondering if he’d made it out your way yet. Isn’t he a great guy? I kind of wanted to keep him, but he was keen to start his next adventure.